Our bodies should have natural bacteria. "Normal bacterial flora" is comprised of organisms that live in and on us. They promote digestion and metabolism, fight away other disease-causing bacteria, and maintain a normal pH in many parts of our bodies. In fact, there are more bacteria in and on our bodies than we have cells in our body!
While frequent washing with anti-bacterial soaps, body washes, lotions and hand gels may help us stay healthy, they frequently rid the body of this natural bacterial flora. Likewise, antibiotics used for bronchitis, urinary tract infections, and strep throat can also kill the normal bacteria that should be part of our bodies.

When the normal bacteria counts in the vagina get low, the pH changes. That pH change can be a perfect environment for yeast infections and annoying bacterial overgrowths--namely bacterial vaginosis.

Probiotics are a great way to keep your body healthy and functioning in tip-top shape! Probiotics come in all forms and brands; the most important thing to remember is not to consume out-dated or expired probiotics. The longer they are on the store shelf and if the preparation should be refrigerated, but isn't, the less effective they will be.

One probiotic supplement that has really worked wonders for my patients is Natren's Gy-Na-Tren (available at Whole Foods in Los Angeles). This supplement includes both an oral component and a vaginal suppository (which helps maintain a normal pH for the vagina). I recommend occasional courses (5-7 days) of this probiotic to help prevent yeast and bacterial overgrowth infections.